New Bond films lack humour, too focused on action: Cleese

Anita Singh, Daily Telegraph06.24.2014

John Cleese laments the dearth of wit in the new James Bond franchise films, which, he says, pander to the Asian audience’s appetite for action. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty ImagesMark Metcalfe
/ Getty Images

John Cleese laments the dearth of wit in the new James Bond franchise films, which, he says, pander to the Asian audience’s appetite for action. Photos: Leah Hennel/Postmedia News filesLeah Hennel
/ Calgary Herald

Witty one-liners, deadpan puns and absurd gadgets were once a requisite of James Bond films. Now, however, the comedy, which reached its peak during the Roger Moore years, has all but disappeared because the films are pitched at Asian audiences who do not understand the British sense of humour, says actor-comedian John Cleese.

Cleese appeared opposite Pierce Brosnan in two 007 films: playing an assistant to Desmond Llewelyn’s Q in The World Is Not Enough (1999) and as Q himself in Die Another Day (2002).

He was not invited to reprise his role, and says the subsequent movies starring Daniel Craig have the “fundamental flaw” of lacking humour, while being too full of action sequences.

In an interview with Radio Times, the Monty Python star said: “I did two James Bond movies and then I believe that they decided that the tone they needed was that of the Bourne action movies (based on the spy novels of Robert Ludlum), which are very gritty and humourless. Also, the big money was coming from Asia, from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, where the audiences go to watch the action sequences. And that’s why, in my opinion, the action sequences go on for too long, and it’s a fundamental flaw.”

Gadgets have also begun to disappear from the films.

The franchise took a darker turn in 2006 when Craig made his debut in Casino Royale. The character of Q was ditched altogether and the closest Bond came to cracking a joke was when he greeted a barman’s “shaken or stirred” query by snapping: “Do I look like I give a damn?”

Casino Royale’s director, Martin Campbell, said at the time he had tried to film “more realistic” action scenes, adding: “We kept away from gadgets. We couldn’t suddenly have John Cleese storming in with a rocket car.”

Cleese’s brief run as Q followed Llewelyn’s 36 years in the role, during which he supplied Sean Connery’s Bond and his successors with ingenious spy gadgets.

After a hiatus, Q reappeared in the 2012 film Skyfall, played by Ben Whishaw. This time, the humour did not revolve around Bond fooling about with the gadgets, but centred on the fact that Q looked barely old enough to be out of short trousers.

Moore has described Craig as the finest actor to play Bond, but acknowledged that the films are far more based on action.

He said of Craig in Casino Royale: “My God, he did more action in the first half — in the first second — of the film than I did in all the Bonds put together. He’s brilliant.” Of his own films, including The Spy Who Loved Me and The Man With The Golden Gun, he said: “I always felt you should let the audience share the joke.”

Cleese’s comments shine a light on the importance of the Asian market to Hollywood film studios.

This year’s Edge of Tomorrow, the Tom Cruise science-fiction blockbuster, performed poorly in North America but topped the box office in Indonesia, Taiwan and South Korea.

Casino Royale was the first Bond film to be shown in China, with Craig attending the premiere in Beijing.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.